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The following article appeared in The Olympian, Tuesday, 8-16-94:
Breaking Ground On A Dream
The Evergreen State College is building a multipurpose center that
makes a strong cultural statement:
More than 15 years of discussion about having a Longhouse at The
Evergreen State College is about to turn into action this Saturday. A
groundbreaking ceremony for the Longhouse Education and Culture Center
will be followed by construction scheduled to begin in September.
The Longhouse is designed to resemble the architecture of Native
American Longhouses common to Northwest Tribes. It was originally
inspired by former Evergreen professor and Lummi Tribal member Mary Ellen
Hillaire, who wanted a gathering place for Native Americans and the rest
of the local community on campus. The state legislature funded the
longhouse project last year to provide classroom space and to support the
college's commitment to multicultural education. The 10,000 square-foot,
$2.2 million dollar building will house the Native American Studies
Program, support public services to the region's Tribes, and provide
flexible space for meetings and special events.
More than $16,000 in funding was obtained from fund-raisers. More
is needed to embellish parts of the project not being funded by the state.
The Longhouse will have a hall capable of seating 500. The hall
will have movable partitions that can create up to five classrooms.
Additional features include a classroom-kitchen, a lobby and two central
fireplaces, reminiscent of traditional Longhouse hearths. The building
will also host Native American art exhibits and celebrations.
Its design was the fruit of discussions between architects,
tribal members, faculty, staff, and students. Despite having modern
conveniences and meeting current building codes, the Longhouse strives
for authenticity. The building faces east, and the fireplaces are lined
up in accordance with Northwest Tribal tradition.
For more information contact:
David Whitener, Native American Studies Faculty (Squaxin Tribe)
Jane Jervis, TESC President
Colleen Ray, Project Coordinator
Les Wong, TESC Dean
206/866-6000
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edited for brevity & reprinted w/o permission
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Rio Lara Bellon
Cultural Resource Specialist
EIRP WSU/Chehalis Tribe
P. O. Box 100
Rochester, WA 98579
206/273-5911 206/273-5914 FAX
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Internet: larabell@coopext.cahe.wsu.edu
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